I honestly think it could be Demodectic mites but I can't be sure because I've not experienced.(I'm looking for some advice)

The last time we took him into the vet he couldn't get checked out because even with a muzzle and a drug to subdue him he was to active to check out.(It's been about two years.)

Should we take him to get checked out for this I'm really worried as this has been a constant cycle where he gets better but then it repeats.

Images: (I'm not sure if this is allowed but I couldn't upload the images to the forums because it was giving me a missing security token error?)
This is the album of pictures I just took to show how it is.Dog Help - Imgur

Looks like it COULD be mange, but the only way to know for sure is with a skin scraping. In my personal experience with demodex (my dog had it rather severely as an older puppy), it didn't actually cause all that much itching or licking, but it does for some dogs. His did look similar to what your pictures show. Unfortunately there's no real way to diagnose with just pictures, and there's a multitude of things that could cause balding, itching, and discoloration, like thyroid problems.

Definitely looks like mange, poor thing. Try and get him to the vet for a skin scraping as this is the only way to determine if it is mange and whether it is sarcoptic or demodetic.

If he hasn't been checked by a vet in 2 years, you really need to get him there, not only for mange diagnosis and treatment but for a full check up.

If he is too much of a handful, explain this to the vet and perhaps you could get them to come out to the car to give a sedative (whilst muzzled) and do a scraping and complete health test. If your vet won't help you, then find another vet - one that is willing to help you with such a reactive/overactive dog.

__________________
if your GSD is eating and eating and eating and losing weight - please consider testing for EPI.

I agree that it looks like mange and looks pretty sever since it seems to be ALL OVER his body. I guessing his Immune has been effected greatly. There is a product called SeaVive that could help with his immune system: Quote: SeaVire® is a 100% natural, pre-digested fish protein concentrate combined with Colostrum 80/40 which is critical for good immune function. This combination is the only product on the market like it in the world. It is now available in the nutraceutical industry today. SeaVive® naturally contains a total of 18 amino acids including the 11 essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the dog/cat's body and must be supplied to the body in their daily diet. But when a system is compromised due to disease or a debilitating condition SeaVive is the ideal supplement because of the benefits of a quickly absorbed and fully assimilated protein source- one of which is fast repair and recovery from illness, surgery, and wound healing. Because SeaVive® is already pre-digested it is 100% usable by the body, and it does not require effort on the part of the dog's digestive system to process the protein. This makes it readily available for nourishment, boosting immune function and accelerated healing.

Chemical dips that some vets recommend may pull his immune system down further. If you would consider changing to a Holistic vet, I can send you a list of registered ones if you let me know what state you are in.

Also, exactly what food and treats are you feeding? You should begin slowly to add a good grade of human salmon oil or krill oil to his diet, also coconut oil. Coconut oil is anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial so besides putting it in his food you can use it on the effected areas.

A half and half solution of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (found in a health food store called BRAGGS) and purified water (put into a clean spray bottle) can also help with the itching and healing as it has the same medicinal properties as coconut oil. This can be applied several times per day, but do not put on open sores or into eyes.

Have you tried plain Benadryl to relive his itching?(not containing any other ingredients as they could be toxic to the dog)
I believe you can give 1 to 2 mg. per pound of weight of dog every 12 hours. BUT this cannot be overused.

I have a list of other "home remedies" but I would suggest a Holistic vet since this problem is SO sever, who can identify exactly what this is and guide you to help regain this dogs health.

I agree that it looks like mange and looks pretty sever since it seems to be ALL OVER his body. I guessing his Immune has been effected greatly. There is a product called SeaVive that could help with his immune system: Quote: SeaVire® is a 100% natural, pre-digested fish protein concentrate combined with Colostrum 80/40 which is critical for good immune function. This combination is the only product on the market like it in the world. It is now available in the nutraceutical industry today. SeaVive® naturally contains a total of 18 amino acids including the 11 essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the dog/cat's body and must be supplied to the body in their daily diet. But when a system is compromised due to disease or a debilitating condition SeaVive is the ideal supplement because of the benefits of a quickly absorbed and fully assimilated protein source- one of which is fast repair and recovery from illness, surgery, and wound healing. Because SeaVive® is already pre-digested it is 100% usable by the body, and it does not require effort on the part of the dog's digestive system to process the protein. This makes it readily available for nourishment, boosting immune function and accelerated healing.

Do you know how much dosage would you give a 32kg female and 40kg male?

Is it just a case of 1 capsule each?

__________________
if your GSD is eating and eating and eating and losing weight - please consider testing for EPI.

Do you know how much dosage would you give a 32kg female and 40kg male?

Is it just a case of 1 capsule each?

Hi H&L!
It depends if you are "treating" something or just using as a general immune system supporter.
Our female developed a bare spot on her foot after we hiked some backwoods trails on vacation. I had a scraping done by our vet and nothing came up. I treated it for about 2 months with several natural type things to no avail. Then I started her on 2 capsules 2 x daily and within 3 weeks, it was gone! We hiked the same area again 2 months later and the spot came back, started her on the SeaVive when we got home, and again within 2-3 weeks it was gone.
The usual dosage is 1 capsule 3 x's daily if treating a "condition" (GDS size dog) working down to 1 capsule as condition shows significant improvement.
My husband and I also take SeaVive to keep our immune system healthy!
Just as a side note here, SeaCURE, a sister product to SeaVive, is used for wound healing, post surgical recovery, chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, malabsorption issues, repairs digestive organs and improves immune deficiency. "Seacure® aids the immune system indirectly by helping to correct pathogenic bowel permeability to prevent hazards from passing through the gut membrane to infect internal organs".

Moms, your advice is AWESOME- I wish you'd been around during my boy's struggles. What are your thoughts on neem oil?

Awwwwww….Thank You LoveEcho!
Here are some of my notes on Neem.
*Neem is another natural product that is anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial.
*Neem has been used for mange mites, fleas, ticks, ringworm, insect repellent and other ailments. *Caution should be used around pregnant females (Human or animal) as it could cause miscarriages or prevent conception. Also use with caution around children.
*Look for a cold pressed Azadirachtin content >1500 ppm pure neem oil. That's a sign that their raw product is of high quality. Such as this Pure Cold-Pressed Neem Oil. www.organeem.com and mix with a Carrier Oil such as Almond Oil or it would be too strong and possibly burn the skin. It can be mixed 1 part Neem to 2 parts Almond Oil (or similar oil) Aromatherapy Carrier Oils, Cold Pressed and Organic . The ratio’s can be adjusted to a particular dog if need be due to strength sensitivity. Avoid open wound areas unless the mix is prepared in a less potent strength such as 1 part Neem to 10 parts Almond Oil, and then watch closely for possible burning reaction. Rinse with warm water if this should occur.
*Neem will not mix with water for a spray unless a liquid soap is added and it also needs to be mixed fresh before each use or it could be rendered ineffective.
*Neem can be mixed with a natural organic shampoo before bathing, but again, it needs to be mixed in fresh before each use. Leave the shampoo mix on dog for about 10 minutes before rinsing if using to treat mange or ringworm (the dog can be bathed 2/3 times per week for these conditions).

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